Gov't requests extension in Kelley's Petraeus-scandal privacy lawsuit

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- The U.S. Justice Department has requested an extension for its reply to a privacy lawsuit filed by Jill Kelley, who was embroiled in the Petraeus sex scandal.

The government asked for an extension until Sept. 4 to respond to the Florida socialite's lawsuit alleging the government violated her family's privacy, rifled through her emails and leaked confidential information about her, USA Today reported Wednesday.

Kelley, the Tampa woman who had been an unpaid social liaison to the military and had hosted parties at her home for military officers, including former CIA Director David Petraeus and Gen. John Allen, had complained to the FBI about harassing emails.

Petraeus stepped down from his position after his extramarital affair with biographer Paula Broadwell was exposed following Kelley's complaint to the FBI about the harassing emails. Broadwell was behind the emails, USA Today said.

"The Kelleys are trying to deter the government from violating the privacy rights of other Americans by calling attention to the government's profound overcollection of private emails and egregious leaking of confidential investigative material," said Alan Raul, Kelley's lawyer.

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